Abba Ho PaterSources
St Polycarp of Smyrna
Bishop of Smyrna
Πολύκαρπος
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, was taught by the apostles according to Irenaeus and was a friend of Ignatius. He was martyred in old age; one letter, to the Philippians, survives.
- Born
- c. 69 (traditional)
- Died
- c. 155–156, or 166–167
- Feast
- 29 Amshir · Coptic commemoration per Wikipedia (8 March); the West and the Byzantine churches keep 23 February.
- Era
- 2nd century
- See
- Smyrna (Bishop)
Life
Irenaeus testifies that Polycarp "was instructed by the apostles" and knew many who had seen Christ; the ANF introduction adds his friendship with Ignatius, both trained under John [1]. He was bishop of Smyrna, and visited Rome, where he settled the Paschal question amicably with Bishop Anicetus [1].
He was martyred in extreme old age under the first of the Antonines. A later addition to the Martyrdom of Polycarp points to c. 155–156; Eusebius places it c. 166–167 [1][2]. His Letter to the Philippians is his only surviving work, generally accepted as genuine [1][2].
Where the sources disagree
Martyrdom: c. 155–156 (appendix to the Martyrdom) or 166–167 (Eusebius). The birth year 69 is traditional. The date of the Letter to the Philippians cannot be fixed exactly (ANF).
Timeline
Works
- Epistle to the Philippiansfirst half of the 2nd century
Notes
Bibliography
- ANF-01, Introductory Note to the Epistle of Polycarp — Standard English translation with introduction.
- Wikipedia (EN), Polycarp — Cross-check.